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On Monday, evacuations in areas near Deer Haven/Sand Ridge East to Somerset, Buzzard's Gulch, Van Pooka and La Mesa were canceled. Some evacuations were reduced to warnings in Amador County near Highway 49 and El Dorado County on Upton Road.

"I'm very worried 'cause the trees can just spark and go," said Melissa Berschens, who lives on the west side of Mount Aukum Road, where evacuation orders were still in place Monday. "We’re going to pick up my daughter and then go back to the campground and pray."

Across the street, on the east side of the road, residents were allowed to return home Monday.

"It's like a weight's off your shoulders -- just not knowing and not being in your own bed," said Beth Roberts, who was away from home since Friday night with her husband and two daughters because of the fire.

The Sand Fire in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento was 65 percent contained as of early Monday, after burning 13 homes and 38 outbuildings. It has scorched roughly 6 square miles of rugged grassland and timber near wine-growing regions in Amador and El Dorado counties.

While crews significantly enlarged the area they had corralled Sunday, "the steep, dry terrain continues to be a challenge" and about 515 homes remain threatened and under evacuation orders, according to a statement the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Neighbors, however, stepped in to help those forced from their homes and ranches.

The Amador County fairgrounds made room for displaced animals and as of noon Sunday had taken in 12 horses, seven rabbits, 15 chickens, two dogs, three cats and seven goats, said Karen Spencer, the marketing director for the Amador County Fair.

While the Red Cross has been able to provide clothes and food for the evacuees, the neighboring communities have joined the organization to help.

"We've got like 10 bags of new and slightly new clothes," Rodney Stanhope of Placerville said.

Stanhope said his Facebook call has led to people offering to buy underwear and socks and others offering their homes to evacuees.

An estimated 100 homes in Foresta and the small community of Old El Portal were evacuated Saturday, and residents remained out of their homes Sunday. Two shelters opened for people and animals.

The park itself, home to such sites as Half Dome mountain, Yosemite Meadows, a grove of Giant Sequoia trees and other wonders, remained open throughout Sunday and authorities said none of its treasures were threatened.